The National Association for Cave Diving (NACD) was founded in 1968 with the goal of improving the safety of scuba diving in caves through training and education. A non-profit corporation, the NACD has its headquarters in Gainesville, Florida but is conducting its administration and operations from High Springs, Florida. NACD offers training courses and certification in cavern and cave diving, and instructor courses. As part of its mission to raise safety standards in cave diving, the NACD publishes a quarterly journal, holds seminars, and sponsors cave diving projects. Training The oldest cave diving training organization, the National Association for Cave Diving (NACD) was established in 1968 for the purpose of achieving safer cave diving through training and education, The goal is not to encourage cavern or cave diving, but rather to aid interested divers in becoming safe cavern and cave divers. The NACD is a professional cave diving organization serves cave divers throughout the world instructors in the US, Mexico, Australia and Europe (14 different countries) dedicated to promoting a greater appreciation and a full understanding of the unique underwater cave environment dedicated to the special needs required for safe cave diving for the casual visitor and serious explorer alike The NACD offers special training and certification programs, regular seminars, workshops, and a variety of specialized publications. The NACD is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with membership open to all who have an interest in underwater caves. All members receive discounts on products and admission fees to NACD events. The purpose of the NACD Training standards is To provide each NACD instructor with a general statement of the technical and philosophical principles of cave and cavern diving espoused by the NACD, with a view to insuring that every student receives training consistent with the policies and goals of the NACD. The NACD believes that a professional educator should have the discretion and freedom to bring his or her own unique knowledge, experience, and teaching style to the classroom, whether above or below the water, as long as the result is a well-trained cave or cavern diver. This freedom recognizes the competence and professionalism of each NACD instructor and allows each course to meet adequately the varying needs, interests, and skill levels of each student. The NACD also acknowledges that many facets of cave and cavern diving practice, procedure, and equipment configuration remain topics of debate by equally qualified experts and that